Display tool

ABSTRACT

A display tool comprises a first member and a second member that visually represents a character, wherein states that a relative positioning between the first member and the second member can take include a first state and a second state in which the first member is more difficult to hold than in the first state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2018/021858 filed on Jun. 7, 2018, which claims priority to and the benefit of J Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-244377, filed on Dec. 20, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a character display tool.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, along with the spread of SNSs (Social Networking Services), an increasing number of people take pictures of stuffed toys, figurines, and the like at travel destinations or when they are out and about, and then put them up on SNSs (see, for example, Non-Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature

PTL1: Big Insta hit! We asked the head of “Chokkorisan” how to take a “teddy shot” https://time-space.kddi.com/digicul-column/suguyaru/20170919/2099, (searched Dec. 14, 2017)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the “teddy shot” according to NPL1, the stuffed toy is first placed at a capturing location and then the image capture is performed. Thus, there is a limitation on the arrangement of the stuffed toy. In addition, in the case of holding a stuffed toy or figurine and bringing it into the angle a view, if the entire stuffed toy or figurine is to be in an angle of view, it is unavoidable that the hand that is holding it will also enter the angle of view.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique by which it is possible to improve convenience when capturing an image in which a character is put into the angle of view.

Solution to Problem

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a display tool. The display tool comprises a first member and a second member that visually represents a character, wherein states that a relative positioning between the first member and the second member can take include a first state and a second state in which the first member is more difficult to hold than in the first state.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

By virtue of the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience when capturing an image in which a character is put into the angle of view.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of use of a keychain according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the keychain according to the embodiment is used and an image is captured.

FIG. 3A is a structural diagram of the keychain.

FIG. 3B is a structural diagram of the keychain.

FIG. 3C is a structural diagram of the keychain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, processes, and signals illustrated in the respective drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In the drawings, some members which are not important for the explanation are omitted.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of use of a keychain 10 according to the embodiment. In the keychain 10, a real or fictional character is represented in a visually perceivable manner. Fictional characters may be, for example, a character from an animation, comic book, or a novel. Real characters may be, for example, an entertainer, an actor, or a historical person.

A user 12 attaches the keychain 10 in a non-usage state to a portable terminal 14 such as a smart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet, or the like, or a bag or a belt. The user 12 first removes the keychain 10 to change it to a usage state in the case of capturing an image of a location with the character represented in the keychain 10. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the user 12 frames the camera of the portable terminal 14 oriented toward the location with one hand, and holds a handle part of the keychain 10 in the usage state with the other hand so that a character part of the keychain 10 falls within the angle of view of the camera. In this state, the user 12 performs image capturing with the camera.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image 16 captured using the keychain 10 according to the embodiment. The character part 102 of the keychain 10 appears in the image 16 together with a scene 18 at a location. FIG. 2 illustrates the user 12 manually holding the handle part 104 of the keychain 10. As described above, by using the keychain 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the image 16 in which it appears as if the character 20 is at that location.

FIGS. 3A to 3C is i structural diagram of the keychain 10. Reference numeral 300 a is a front view of the keychain 10 in the usage state. The keychain 10 includes a plate-shaped character part 102 and a rod-shaped handle part 104. The character part 102 is a member that visually represents the character 20. The surface of the character part 102 may be treated to suppress reflection. In such a case, reflection at the time of image capturing with a flash can be suppressed.

The handle part 104 is rotatably attached to the character part 102. The handle part 104 is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the character part 102, and the relative positioning of the character part 102 and the handle part 104 is maintained in a state where no rotational torque is applied.

A distal end 104 a of the handle part 104 which is distal from the character part 102 is configured to allow attachment of a chain 106 or strap. Specifically, the distal end 104 a is formed in an L shape, and the distal end 104 a is provided with a hole 108 through which the chain 106 or a strap passes. Here, the chain 106 and the strap are parts used to attach the keychain 10 to the portable terminal 14 or a bag. At the time of image capturing, the handle part 104 in the usage state functions as a grip.

Reference numeral 300 b is a side view of the keychain 10 in the usage state. Reference numeral 300 c is a back view of the keychain 10 in the usage state. The character part 102 includes a first transparent plate 110, a seal 112 on which an image of the character 20 is printed, and a second transparent plate 114. The character part 102 is created by affixing a seal 112 on the upper surface of the second transparent plate 114 and further overlapping the first transparent plate 110 thereon and fixing it with an adhesive material. The first transparent plate 110 and the second transparent plate 114 may be substantially transparent, and may be made of, for example, an acrylic plate or a transparent plastic plate. With the structure in which the seal 112 is sandwiched between the transparent plates 110 and 114, wear and damage of the seal 112 can be reduced and the product lifespan of the keychain 10 can be extended as compared with the case in which the seal 112 is exposed.

In the present embodiment, the character 20 is represented as a seal on which the image of the character 20 is printed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the image of the character 20 may be directly drawn on the surface of a transparent plate.

The connection mechanism between the character part 102 and the handle part 104 may be a screw 116 and a spacer 118. The connection mechanism is provided on the rear surface 102 a side of the character part 102, and is provided at a position hidden by the character 20 (or overlapped with an image of the character 20) particularly when the character part 102 is viewed from the front. Alternatively, the connection mechanism may be provided below the image of the character 20.

The spacer 118 is a donut-shaped part made of Teflon®, rubber, metal, or the like, and is sandwiched between the rear surface 102 a of the character part 102 and the front surface 104 b of the handle part 104. The screw 116 fastens the handle part 104, the spacer 118, and the character part 102 together. The screw 116 passes through a hole in the proximal end 104 c of the handle part 104 that is closest to the character part 102 and through a central hole of the spacer 118 and is screwed into a corresponding threaded hole in the character part 102. The tightening torque of the screw 116 and the size and material of the spacer 118 are selected to allow relative movement between the character part 102 and the handle part 104 and to maintain the relative positioning between the character part 102 and the handle part 104 when no direct external force is applied.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the keychain 10 in another usage state. The state illustrated in FIG. 3B is obtained by rotating the handle part 104 by 90 degrees with respect to the character part 102 from the usage state of the keychain 10 illustrated in 300 a. This state is convenient when causing the character 20 to be displayed in the upper right of the image. When attempting to cause the character 20 to be displayed in the upper right of the image by using the keychain 10 in the state in 300 a, the handle part 104 and the hand holding it will inevitably appear in the image. In contrast, when using the keychain 10 in the state in FIG. 3B, by inserting the character part 102 into the angle of view from the side of the image, the handle part 104 and the hand holding it can be prevented from appearing in the image.

FIG. 3C is a front view of the keychain 10 in a non-usage state. The state in FIG. 3C is obtained by rotating the handle part 104 by 180 degrees with respect to the character part 102 from the usage state of the keychain 10 illustrated in 300 a. The states that the relative positioning of the character part 102 and the handle part 104 can take include a usage state illustrated in 300 a and FIG. 3B, and a non-usage state in which it is more difficult to hold the handle part 104 than in the usage state. In the non-usage state, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, a part of the handle part 104 overlaps with the character part 102 so as to be positioned on the rear side of the character 20. Since the handle part 104 is hidden at the rear surface of the character part 102, it is difficult for the user 12 to hold the handle part 104. On the other hand, the overall appearance of the keychain 10 in the non-usage state is similar to that of a normal keychain or a key holder, so that a sense of discomfort when the keychain 10 is attached to the portable terminal 14 or the bag is reduced or eliminated.

The keychain 10 is configured such that, in the non-usage state, the distal end 104 a of the handle part 104 does not overlap the character part 102. As a result, interference between the chain 106 attached to the distal end 104 a and the character part 102 can be avoided in the non-usage state.

By virtue of the keychain 10 according to the present embodiment, even if the entire character part 102 of the keychain 10 in the usage state is placed into the angle of view, the hand holding the handle part 104 does not enter the angle of view. Therefore, it is possible to put the entire character 20 into the image while preventing the hand holding it from entering the image.

By virtue of the keychain 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, the following value can be provided to the user 12. The user 12 attaches and detaches the keychain 10 in the non-usage state with respect to the portable terminal 14 or the bag. When the user 12 encounters a location at which to take a photo when out and about, and the user 12 sets the usage state by rotating the handle part 104 of the keychain 10 by 180 degrees. The user 12 takes a photograph at the location together with the character 20 by holding the handle part 104. In this manner, the user 12 can easily take pictures with the character 20 at the destination. In addition, since the keychain 10 has the handle part 104 as a grip, image capture becomes easier. In addition, the keychain 10 in the non-usage state is easy to collect and can be attached to a bag or a portable terminal 14.

The keychain 10 according to the embodiment has been described above. It ill be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is illustrative and that various modifications can be made to each component or combination of processes, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment, cases were explained in which the seal 112 on which the image of the character 20 is printed is used, or the image of the character 20 is drawn directly on the transparent plate, but limitation is not made to these. For example; a 3D model (e.g., a figurine or a stuffed toy) of the character 20 may be used.

In the embodiment, the case where the character part 102 has a front surface on which the character 20 is visible and a rear surface 102 a on which the character 20 is not visible has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, by drawing a character on both sides of the character part, the character can be made visible from either side of the character part.

In the embodiment, the case where the handle part 104 is rotatably attached to the character part 102 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a space may be provided inside the character part into which the handle part fits, and the handle part may be accommodated within the space in the non-usage state, and the handle part may be removed from the space in the usage state. Alternatively, the character part and the handle part may be connected by a folding hinge and folded in the non-usage state.

In the embodiment, a case where the camera of the portable terminal 14 captures an image of the character 20 of the character part 102 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an application program installed in the portable terminal 14 may control the imaging function of the portable terminal 14. In such a case, the application program, when executed by the portable terminal 14, causes the portable terminal 14 to realize a function of identifying the character 20 being captured by the camera; a function of transmitting information of the identified character 20 to a server via a network such as the Internet; a function of receiving an image corresponding to the identified character 20 from the server via the network; a function of synthesizing the received image with an image in real space captured by the camera; and a function of displaying the synthesized image on the display of the portable terminal 14 and storing the synthesized image in the memory.

The technical idea according to the embodiment may be represented by the following items.

(Item 1)

A display tool that comprises a first member and a second member that visually represents a character, wherein states that a relative positioning between the first member and the second member can take include a first state and a second state in which the first member is more difficult to hold than in the first state.

(Item 2)

The display tool according to Item 1, wherein the first member is rotatably attached to the second member.

(Item 3)

The display tool according to Item 1 or 2, wherein in the second state, the first member overlaps the second member so as to be positioned on a rear side of the character.

(Item 4)

The display tool according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the end of the first member that is distal from the second member in the first state is configured to allow attachment of a member used to attach the display tool to another article.

(Item 5)

The display tool according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the end of the first member which is distal to the second member in the first state does not overlap the second member in the second state.

(Item 6)

The display tool according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein a connection mechanism between the first member and the second member is configured to enable relative movement between the first member and the second member and to maintain the relative positioning between the first member and the second member when no direct external force is applied thereto.

(Item 7)

The display tool according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein in the first state, the second member is captured by a portable terminal, and the display tool is attached to another article in the second state.

(Item 8)

The display tool according to any one of Items 1 to 7, wherein the second member comprises a substantially transparent plate on which an image of a character is affixed or drawn.

(Item 9)

The display tool according to Item 4 or 5, wherein the end portion is formed in an L shape.

(Item 10)

The portable terminal according to Item 7.

wherein a portable terminal comprising a unit for, when the character is captured, synthesizing an image corresponding to the captured character with respect to an image in real space.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, to make the scope of the invention public, the following claims are appended. 

1. A display tool, comprising a first member and a second, member that visually represents a character, wherein states that a relative positioning between the first member and the second member can take include a first state and a second state in which the first member is more difficult to hold than in the first state.
 2. The display tool according to claim 1, wherein the first member is rotatably attached to the second member.
 3. The display tool according to claim 1, wherein in the second state, the first member overlaps the second member so as to be positioned on a rear side of the character.
 4. The display tool according to claim 1, wherein an end of the first member that is distal from the second member in the first state is configured to allow attachment of a member used to attach the display tool to another article.
 5. The display tool according to claim 1, wherein the end of the first member which is distal to the second member in the first state does not overlap the second member in the second state.
 6. The display tool according to claim 1, wherein a connection mechanism between the first member and the second member is configured to enable relative movement between the first member and the second member and to maintain, the relative positioning between the first member and the second member when no direct external force is applied thereto.
 7. The display tool according to claim 1, wherein in the first state, the second member is captured by a portable terminal, and the display tool is attached to another article in the second state. 